3 Global Defensive Stocks For Steady Demand In Unsettled Markets

Markets are being pulled in several directions as geopolitical tensions rise, central banks rethink interest rate policies, and energy companies respond to supply chain and regulatory shocks. In periods like this, many investors look more closely at global defensive stocks, companies that aim for strong financial health, consistent dividends, and relatively lower price swings. This article focuses on that theme and introduces 3 stocks from our Global Defensive Stocks screener that appear positively exposed to the current news backdrop, which may help you think about opportunities that could fit a more resilient core in your portfolio.

Regis Healthcare (ASX:REG)

Overview: Regis Healthcare is an Australian aged care provider that runs residential aged care homes, specialist dementia and palliative care services, as well as home care, respite care, and retirement and independent living villages for older Australians.

Operations: Regis Healthcare generates around A$1.3b in revenue from residential aged care, home care, and retirement living services, all within Australia.

Market Cap: A$1.8b

Regis Healthcare stands out in a more volatile market because its aged care services are essential, with demand tied to long term demographic trends rather than short term economic cycles, while central banks and energy markets remain in flux. Investors watching this stock will likely focus on how its expansion program, technology investments, and government funding reforms interact with risks such as rising wage costs, policy uncertainty, and a balance sheet funded by external borrowing. With analyst expectations for stronger earnings, a detailed M&A and development pipeline, and a CFO transition underway, there is more to understand about how resilient Regis Healthcare might be if conditions stay choppy.

Regis Healthcare’s expansion, technology upgrades, and funding mix could be telling a different story to its headline earnings. Get the full context in the 4 key rewards and 3 important warning signs (1 is major!)

Tristel (AIM:TSTL)

Overview: Tristel is a UK based company that develops and sells infection prevention products for hospitals, with a focus on cleaning and disinfecting medical devices and clinical surfaces, as well as a cloud platform that helps hospitals track and record their disinfection processes.

Operations: Tristel generates most of its £49.5m revenue from Hospital Medical Device Decontamination at about £43.4m, with smaller contributions from Hospital Environmental Surface Disinfection at about £4.3m and Other Revenue at about £1.9m.

Market Cap: £182.3m

Tristel sits in a core healthcare niche where infection control is essential, so its products can offer relatively steady demand even when geopolitical tensions and interest rate paths unsettle broader markets. Investors may be interested that analysts expect double digit annual earnings and revenue growth, underpinned by high returns on equity of about 23.4% and expanding profit margins. The stock trades on a P/E that is below the wider medical equipment peer group. At the same time, changing leadership at the top, an unstable dividend record, and reliance on external borrowing mean execution on its US expansion and digital 3T platform will be closely watched by anyone viewing Tristel as a defensive growth story.

Tristel’s accelerating earnings story and high 23.4% returns on equity can make the current P/E and US expansion look like only half the picture. It is therefore worth seeing how analysts frame the analyst forecasts for Tristel

EBOS Group (NZSE:EBO)

Overview: EBOS Group is a large healthcare and animal care distributor that supplies pharmacies, hospitals, clinics and veterinarians across Australia, New Zealand and parts of Southeast Asia, while also offering pharmacy software, logistics, and consumer health products like vitamins and pet supplies.

Operations: EBOS Group generates about A$12.2b in revenue from Healthcare and A$820.3m from Animal Care, with most sales linked to pharmaceutical and medical distribution activities.

Market Cap: NZ$4.7b

EBOS Group is often viewed as a classic defensive stock, combining healthcare and pet care distribution with recurring demand and a broad customer base that may appeal to some investors when markets are unsettled by geopolitics and interest rate shifts. The stock trades at a P/E below many global healthcare peers and under some analyst fair value estimates, which some investors may interpret as potential room for re-rating if its logistics upgrades, specialty pharma expansion and acquisitions continue to be successful. At the same time, high debt, relatively thin 1.8% net margins, dividend coverage concerns and reliance on acquisitions highlight the need to assess how resilient cash flows may be if supply chain costs or competition increase.

EBOS Group’s healthcare and pet care reach, recurring revenue base and below peer P/E hint that the market may be missing something in this distributor’s story. The analysis report for EBOS Group could reveal the key risk or upside investors are overlooking

The three stocks covered here are only a sample of what is on offer. The full Global Defensive Stocks screener has identified 25 more companies with similarly compelling stories and financial profiles that could round out your watchlist. To go further, use the Global Defensive Stocks screener to identify and analyze the exact catalysts, risk profiles, and dividend and volatility characteristics that match your own highest conviction defensive ideas.

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Seeking Alternatives Beyond Defensive Stocks?

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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